Need for energy behind Socceroos changes

A need for renewable energy will lead coach Ange Postecoglou to flick more switches in his Socceroos side.

Postecoglou says he'll make about three changes for Saturday night's Asian Cup encounter against South Korea in Brisbane.

A win or draw for the Socceroos will result in the host nation topping Group A, but lose and the Koreans will take top billing.

Both nations have already secured quarter-final spots with defeats of Kuwait and Oman, who meet in Saturday's other game in Newcastle.

The Socceroos are still sweating on captain Mile Jedinak's injured ankle but he's expected to be rested with an eye on the quarter-final.

But Postecoglou says regardless of Jedinak's fitness, other changes will be made.

"If we go through a tournament with just a core group of players, it just wouldn't work," Postecoglou said.

"We found that out at the World Cup when we really ran out of petrol after the second game.

"We won't make too many changes but we will make enough changes that will hopefully see the team perform at the optimum level, that is the aim of every game.

"So the changes we make will be in areas we think we may need to renew the energy levels."

Forecast sapping heat in Brisbane will make that need even greater, given the quarter-finals will be held next Thursday.

"We obviously know it's going to be a tough game in those conditions and it's going to take a lot out of the guys who play," Postecoglou said.

"But the players are well prepared and the team we pick will be ready for it."

Apart from reserve goalkeepers Eugene Galekovic and Mitch Langerak, Postecoglou has so far given game time to all players in his squad except for defender Alex Wilkinson, midfielder Terry Antonis and Chris Herd, who has been ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles injury.

In Group D action last night, Keisuke Honda's penalty earned Japan a 1-0 win over Iraq while Jordan's reserve striker Hamza Aldaradreh potted four goals in a 5-1 win over Palestine.

Four-time champions Japan need just one point from next Tuesday's game against Jordan to secure a quarter-final berth.